Device for varying the speed of velocipedes



3 R E D R H T W DEVIGE FOR VARYING SPEED OF VELOGIPEDES.

Patented July 28, 1896.

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W. T. HARDER. DEVICE FOR VARYIN'G SPEED OF VELOGIPEDES. No. 564,617.

Patentd July 28', 1896;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM T. HARDER, OF OARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVICE FOR VARYING THE SPEED OF VELOCIPEDES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 564,617, dated July 28, 1896.

Application filed October 22, 1895.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown thatl, WILLIAM T. HARDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Carlisle, in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Varying the Speed of Velocipedes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to devices by which the applied power for driving bicycles may be varied, with corresponding changes in speed, conformably to differing surface conditions of roadway, whether the grade ascends or the levels prove smooth or rough.

The object of this invention is to place at the convenience of a mounted rider variablespeed gearing readily accessible and operative while the machine is in motion, and which apparatus shall be especially adapted to successfully resist ordinarily hard and continuous service.

My invention consists, essentially, of the parts hereinafter described, cooperating with an epicyclic train of gearing of ordinary construction which may be thrown into the mechanical driving system when required. There is also ahollow clutch-cylinder having an interior surface convergingfrom both ends to a circle midway of the length, the cylinder being revolubly supported and capable of a movement laterally when. acted upon by attachments within reach of the rider.

The invention possesses, further, three concentric cylinders, the outer one being the hub of the wheel, the intermediate being the driving-cylinder bearing a sprocket-rim, and an inner cylinder forming the path by which power applied to the sprocket-rim reaches the hub through the clutch-cylinder when the gearing train is employed as part of the active driving mechanism. The inner and intermediate cylinders are provided with conic terminals corresponding in form to the interior of the clutch-cylinder, the lateral movement of the last-mentioned cylinder placing it in engagement with either inner or intermediate Serial No. 566,449. (No model.)

cylinders at the will of the rider while under I way, a middle position of the clutch leaving each cylinder free to revolve idly.

The details of construction and operation of my invention are each fully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, throughout whichlike numerals designate like parts, Figure 1 represents an external side view of my invention; Fig. 2, an end view from apoint upon the axis at the right-hand side of the first figure; Fig. 3, an end view from the left hand of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, principally a vertical longitudinal mid-sectional view; Fig. 5, a vertical cross-section upon the line a a of the first figure; Fig. 6, an end view showing the annular rack and train of gearing, together with a screw and orifices affording means for adjusting and locking one of the interior cones, and in this figure the cap, axle-nut, and packing have been removed. A portion of the middle pinion and the axle are represented in section. Fig. 7 represents a vertical crosssection upon the line b b of the first figure; Fig. 8, a vertical cross-section showing the bow-spring and the wedge-pins Fig. 9, a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the clutch mechanism, and Figs. 10 and 11 side views of hand-lever and attachments by means of which the clutch may be operated.

Referring to Fig. 4, numeral designates the axle; 2 2, the axle-nuts; 3 3, the rear fork of a bicycle-frame. The axle does not revolve, but is prevented from so doing by the plate 4, which embraces the nut and is bent over the edges of a portion of the frame, as shown best in Fig. 3.

Beginning with the parts upon the left-hand side, 5 marks the middle pinion, (see also Fig. 6,) which is extended toward the adja cent end of the axle into a circular plate,

(shown in section, Fig. 4,) and from the plate a lug projects, (see Fig. 1,) its office being to engage a slot in the frame and to keep the pinion against rotation.

6 represents a ring of packing rest-ing against the inner surface of the extension of pinion 5, Fig. 4, and, as usually constructedthe pa-oking fits a circular depression centrally located in a cap 7, which protects one end of the device. A cone 8 surrounds the panded portion being also constructed to pro-- shaft contiguous to the inner face of the fixed pinion 5, to which it may be attached by pin or screw in any convenient way.

Meshing with the fixed pinion, Figs. 4 and 6, are gear-wheels 9 9, revolubly supported upon projections from the face of an expanded portion of inner cylinder 10, the exvide a raceway, in connection with cone 8, for the balls 11 11, upon which the cylinder revolves. Threaded upon the expansion of cylinder is the adjustable cone 12, which possesses an annular face or flange customarily pierced by a circular succession of orifices l3, interiorly threaded to engage the set-screws, one of which is shown in Fig. 6.

It will be understood that the screws reach cone 12 through slots in the expansion of cylinder 10, the cap 7 being removed, and the cone may be turned in either direction by a pin inserted in the orifices 13 through the slot. lVhen properly adjusted the cone is locked in position by the set-screws.

Returning to Fig. 4, the next piece met with is the intermediate or driving cylinder 14, to an expanded portion of which is attached the sprocket-rim 15 and the end piece or cupshaped extension 16, having an interior ring of teeth 17, (best shown in Fig. 6,) meshing with gear-wheels 9. The expansion of cylinder 14 is constructed to form, in connection with cone 12, a raceway for the balls 18, upon which the end of the cylinder revolves. Screws 19, engaging orifices in ears 20, (see Fig. 5,) projecting inwardly from end piece 16,1ock the parts numbered 14 and 16 together, and it will be noticed that the heads of the locking-screws, when set up, rest within and closely fit orifices drilled through the expansion of cylinder 14. The cap 7 encircles the exterior of the end piece 16, upon which it may be threaded or otherwise re movably fixed.

21 marks av ring of packing interposed between the expansion of cylinder 14, near the sprocket-rim and the adjustable cone 22. In combination with an exterior groove in cylinder 14 the cone 22 affords a raceway for the balls 23, and the pins 24 lock the cone and hub 25 together. The cone is threaded within the end of the hub of the wheel as commonly constructed. Any convenient and efficient means may be employed to prevent their separation, and, as now designed, the edge of the cone which is exposed, Fig. 1, is to be slotted or milled in order that it may be turned for adjustment within the hub, as indicated.

26 designates the flanges of the hub, to which the spokes may be connected.

Referring to the parts shown upon the right-hand side of Fig. 4, an extension of hub 25 forms an exterior covering. -(See also Fig. 1.) Interiorly the hub exhibits thickened portions, oppositely placed, within which are longitudinal grooves 27, (see Fig. 7,) and there is also attached to the hub a cone 28, to be again mentioned.

29 marks the clutch-cylinder having lugs 30 upon its exterior, which fit movably within the grooves 27. There is also a circular rib 31 upon the exterior of the cylinder 30, and against the rib rests a ring of packing 32, usually interposed between the cylinder and the interior of the hub. The inner surface of the cylinder bounds a space forming the frustums of two cones with ends of smallest diameter meeting midway of the length of the cylinder, where the material of the part is thickest. Attached to the clutch-cylinder 29 is the end piece or cover 33, and by the mode of construction ordinarily followed the ring of packing 32 is held between the edge of cover 33 and the circular rib 31, already mentioned. The connection between cylinder 29 and cover 33 is adjustable, and the latter possesses a hollow cylindrical portion centrally located and interiorly provided with grooves forming part of the raceway of the balls 34. To complete the raceway, the cylinder 35 is grooved upon its exterior surface, and an adjustable portion 36, also grooved, retains the balls in position. It will be understood, therefore, that the hub, clutch-cylinder, and cover revolve together, the last two elements being supported upon cylinder 35. A crank 37, fixed upon the outer end of cylinder 35, will be again brought up in this description. Fitting the axle 1 is the sleeve 38, and upon its exterior surface is raised the thread 39. The ends of the sleeve, as customarily made, terminate in disks and 41, the former being provided with a lug arranged to project intoa recess in the frame3 and to hold the sleeve against the rotative influence of the surrounding parts.

It may now be stated that the cylinder 35 is bored longitudinally and is provided with an interior thread corresponding to thread 39, with which it is designed to engage. The disk 41 has a pin 42, adapted to enter orifices in the face of a cone 43. The cone fits the axle and is prevented from rotating by the pin. The exterior surface of the cone furnishes one side of the raceway for the balls 44, the complemental side of the raceway being constituted by a portion of the inner surface of a cone 45, threaded upon the end of the inner cylinder 10, to which it is locked by the screw 46. A portion of cone 45 upon the outside corresponds in size and shape to one-half of the interior surface of clutch-cylinder 29, to which it is presented for contact, as explained hereinafter. A portion of the outer surface of cone 45 forms one side of the raceway for the balls 47, the remaining side being supplied by the cone 48, which is threaded upon the end of intermediate cylinder 14 and locked by the screw 50. Both cylinders 10 and 14 are provided with circular ribs, against which cones 45 and 48 respectively abut, Figs. 4 and 9, and the lockingscrews are let into the junction of the contiguous parts, as plainly shown in the sec; tional fourth figure. Gone 48 corresponds, for part of its outside surface, with one-half of the inner surface of the clutch-cylinder, with which it is arranged to make contact. Another part of the outside of the cone affords one side of the raceway for the balls 49, the cone 28, already alluded to as attached to the hub of the wheel, completing the retaining pathway for the balls.

In Fig. 10 the hand-lever having a fulcrum upon the frame near the steering-head is marked 51, and rod 52 connects it pivotally with the bell-crank 53, (see Fig. 11,) from which the adjustable rod 54 extends to crank 37. Suitable washers are interposed between surfaces liable to excessive wear.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, a slightly-modified construction of parts 34, 35, and 36 will be noticed. In Fig. 9 is shown the cross-section of a shallow groove cut intothe exterior of clutch-cylinder 29 and extending circumferentially. At points diametrically opposite each other, in the middle of the groove, orifices are drilled toward the center through the clutch-cylinder, and the bow-spring 55, which occupies the groove,has a pin 56, projecting inwardly near each of its ends. The pins are of such size as to pass readily through the orifices just mentioned, as shown in both Figs. 8 and 9. As the spring is formed its force, exerted in the position shown in Fig. 8, tends to move the pins toward each other, and keeps them within the orifices, thereby maintaining the spring in place within the groove. Wedge-shaped ends are given to the pins 56, and grooves of corresponding shape are provided in the exteriors of cones 45 and 48, extending entirely around them. In Fig. 9 the location of the grooves in the cones may be seen, the clutch-cylinder 29 being shown in contact with cone 45, and the pins 56 partially engaging the groove. From the positions indicated the parts can be released only by overcoming the pressure of spring 55, and the oflice of the pins is consequently to latch the clutch-cylinder 29 in one of three situations, that is to say, in contact with the presented surfaces of either cone or exactly between them. The degree of inclination given the sides of the wedge-shaped portions of the pins and of the corresponding grooves is suitably related to the means for overcoming the resistance of spring 55, in order that the variations in speed may be easily effected. Provision has also been made for taking up wear between cones and cylinder, and what ever the force applied to the hand-lever it will be transmitted in full to the cone engaged, retrocession of the parts being prevented by the pressure of the spring acting through the pins, as shown and explained.

The operation of my invention may be described as follows: Each of the three concentric cylinders 10, 14, and 25 are revoluble upon ball-bearings about an axle fixed to the frame. The balls, though desirable as antifriction devices, are not essential. Any common construction supporting the cylinders upon the axle and upon each other may be employed. With the hub 25 the clutchcylinder 29 revolves, the two parts being connected in the grooves 27 by the lugs 30. End piece 33, attached to cylinder 29, rides the cylinder 35, which in its turn engages the thread 39 upon the sleeve 38, fixed to the frame. A movement of crank 37, imparted by the hand-lever and attachments, will actuate the clutch-cylinder, whether it is at rest or revolving, and either inner or driving cylinder may be engaged at will. The journey of the clutch-cylinder is limited by the conical formation of its interior and the corresponding shape of the cones. Packing-rings 6, 21, and 31 render the outer casing moisture and dust proof, and through an orifice in cap 7 provided with a spring-closure 57, lubricating-oil may be served to the interior, and it will reach every part while the machine is operated. Assuming the clutch to be moved into engagement with cone 48, as represented in Fig. 4, the power applied. to sprocket 15 reaches the hub 25 by way of the driving-cylinder 14, and the internal gear '17, in connection with gears 9 9, revolve cylinder 10 idly. When the clutch engages cone 45, the work is thrown upon the inner cylinder, which is turned by the orbital movement of the planet-wheels 9 9 at a rate of speed less than that of the sprocket, but with a proportionate increase in power.

I do not confine myself to any special size of gearing nor to the particular shape of the various elements set out in the drawings, but may modify their construction within the purview of my invention to suit special practical demands.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a device for varying the speed of velocipedes, the combination of a hollow hub constructed to be revolubly supported and provided with interior, longitudinal grooves,

a hollow clutch cylinder possessing lugsupon' its exterior adapted to engage said grooves in the hub whereby the revolution of the cylinder may be communicated to the hub, the said cylinder capable of being moved laterally within the hub, the interior surface of the cylinder converging from both ends toward the middle, an end piece or cover adjustably attached to said cylinder and constructed to be revolubly supported, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device for varying the speed of velocipedes, the combination of a hollow hub constructed to be revolubly supported and provided with interior, longitudinal grooves, a hollow clutch-cylinder possessing lugs upon its exterior adapted to engage said grooves in the hub whereby the revolution of the 'cylinder may be communicated to the hub, the

said cylinder capable of being moved laterally within the hub, the interior surface of the cylinder converging from both ends toward the middle, an end piece or cover adjustably attached to said cylinder and constructed to be revolubly supported, a cylinder having its exterior formed to afford a bearing for the said cover, said cylinder possessing a central bore and internal thread, a crank attached to the outer end of said cylinder, a suitable frame, a non-revoluble axle fixed to said frame, a sleeve surrounding said axle and attached to said frame, said sleeve having an exterior thread corresponding to and capable of engaging said internal thread of the said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

3. In a device for varying the speed of velocipedes, the combination of a hollow hub constructed to be revolubly supported and provided with interior, longitudinal grooves, a hollow clutch-cylinder possessing lugs upon its exterior adapted to engage said grooves in the hub whereby the revolution of the cylinder may be communicated to the hub, the said cylinder capable of beingmoved laterally within the hub, the interior surface of the cylinder converging from both ends toward the middle, an end piece or cover adj ustably attached to said cylinder and constructed to be revolubly supported, a cylinder having its exterior formed to afford a bearing for the said cover, said cylinder possessing a central bore and internal thread, a crank attached to the outer end of said cylinder, a suitable frame, a non-revoluble axle fixed to said frame, a sleeve surrounding said axle and attached to said frame, said sleeve having an exterior thread corresponding to and capable of engaging said internal thread of the said cylinder, a hollow driving-cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically within the hub, said driving-cylinder having a sprocket-rim and an adjustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding to a portion of the inner sur face of the clutch-cylinder, substantially as described.

4. In a device for varying the speed of velocipedes, the combination of a hollow hub constructed to be revolubly supported and provided with interior, longitudinal grooves, a hollow clutch-cylinder possessing lugs upon its exterior adapted to engage said grooves in the hub whereby the revolution of the cylinder may be communicated to the hub, the said cylinder capable of being moved laterally within the hub, the interior surface of the cylinder converging from both ends toward the middle, an end piece or cover adj ustably attached to said cylinder and constructed to be revolubly supported, a cylinder having its exterior formed to afford a bearing for the said cover, said cylinder possessing a central bore and internal thread, a crank attached to the outer end of said cylinder, a suitable frame, a non-revoluble. axle fixed to said frame, a sleeve surrounding said axle and attached to said frame, said sleeve having an exterior thread corresponding to and capable of engaging said internal thread of the said cylinder, a hollow driving cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically within the hub, said driving-cylinder having a sprocket-rim, an extension of increased diameter provided with interior, annular gear, and an adjustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding to a portion of the inner surface of the clutchcylinder, an inner cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically within said driving-cylinder, the inner cylinder having an expanded portion, projecting bearings and gearing adapted to mesh with said annular gear of the driving-cylinder, and an ad- 3' ustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding to a portion of the inner surface of the clutch-cylinder, a pinion, borne by the axle, adapted to mesh with said gearing upon the inner cylinder, and means for attaching the pinion to the frame, substantially as set forth.

5. In a device for varying the speed of "elocipedes, the combination of a hollow hub constructed to be revolubly supported and provided with interior, longitudinal grooves, a hollow clutch-cylinder possessing lugs upon its exterior adapted to engage said grooves in the hub whereby the revolution of the cylinder may be communicated to the hub, the said cylinder capable of being moved laterally within the hub, the interior surface of the cylinder converging from both ends toward the middle, an end piece or cover adjustably attached to said cylinder and constructed to be revolubly supported, a cylinder having its exterior formed to afford a bearing for the said cover, said cylinder possessing a central bore and internal thread, a crank attached to the outer end of said cylinder, a suitableframe, a non-revoluble axle fixed to said frame, a sleeve surrounding said axle and attached to said frame, said sleeve having an exterior thread corresponding to and capable of engaging said internal thread of the said cylinder, a hollow driving cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically Within the hub, said driving-cylinder having a sprocket-rim, an extension of increased diameter provided with interior, annular gear, and an adjustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding IIO to a portion of the inner surface of the clutchcylinder, an inner cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically within said driving-cylinder, the inner cylinder having an expanded portion, projecting bearings and gearing adapted to mesh with said annular gear of the drivingcylinder, and an adjustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding to a portion of the inner surface of the clutch-cylinder, a pinion borne by the axle and fixed to the frame, said pinion adapted to mesh with said gearing upon the inner cylinder, a cap constructed tov cover the geared extension of the driving-cylinder, adjustable antifriction devices, packing rings suitably arranged for excluding dust and moisture, and means for adjustably retaining the whole in connection with the frame, substantially as set forth.

6. In a device for varying the speed of velocipedes, the combination of a hollow hub constructed to be revolubly supported and provided with interior, longitudinal grooves, a hollow clutch-cylinder possessing lugs upon its exterior adapted to engage said grooves in the hub whereby the revolution of the cylinder may be communicated to the hub, the said cylinder capable of being moved laterally within the hub, the interior surface of the cylinder converging from both ends toward the middle, the said cylinder having a circumferential exterior groove and orifices located within the said groove, a bow-spring provided with pins having wedge-shaped ends, the said pins adapted to pass readily through said orifices, an end piece or cover adjustably attached to said cylinder and constructed to be revolubly supported, a cylinder having its exterior formed to afford a bearing for the said cover, said cylinder possessing a central bore and internal thread, a crank attached to the outer end of said cylinder, a suitable frame, a non-revoluble axle fixed to said frame, a sleeve surrounding said axle and attached to the frame, said sleeve having an exterior thread corresponding to and capable of engaging said internal thread of the said cylinder, attachments pivoted to the frame and to said crank whereby the clutch-cylinder may be reciprocated while at rest or revolving, a hollow driving-cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically within the hub, said cylinder having a sprocket-rim, an extension of increased diameter provided with interior annular gear, and an adjustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding to a portion of the inner surface of the clutch-cylinder and an exterior, circumferential wedgeshaped groove, an inner cylinder constructed to be revolubly supported concentrically within said driving-cylinder, the inner cylinder having an expanded portion, projecting bearings and gearing adapted to mesh with said annular gear of the driving-cylinder, and an adjustable terminal cone possessing an exterior surface corresponding to a portion of the inner surface of the clutchcylinder and an exterior, circumferential wedge-shaped groove, a pinion borne by the axle and fixed to the frame, said pinion adapted to mesh with said gearing upon the inner cylinder, a cap constructed to cover the geared extension of the driving-cylinder, adjustable antifriction devices, packing-rings suitably arranged for excluding dust and moisture, and means for adjustably retaining the whole in connection with the frame, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM T. HARDER. Witnesses:

I. M. WEAKLEY, CHAS. RHOADS. 

